Tampa Airport Police

The Tampa International Airport Police Department (TIAPD) enforces federal regulations associated with transportation security and traditional law enforcement services.

Officers with the Tampa International Airport make arrests for a variety of crimes, including bringing a firearm or weapon into a secure area of the airport, trespassing into a secure area, or driving while intoxicated on airport property.

If officers with the Tampa Airport Police find a traveler carrying a large sum of cash that they suspect is involved in drug trafficking or money laundering, then the TIAPD officer might seize the cash for a civil asset forfeiture proceeding.

Even when drug trafficking or money laundering is not suspected, TIAPD officers might seize more than $10,000 in cash if the traveler failed to complete a FinCEN 105 form declaring the cash.

As a full-service, accredited law enforcement agency, the Tampa International Airport Police Department (TIAPD) has more than 40 support personnel, 55 traffic specialists, and 75 sworn police officers.

The sections of TIAPD include the Airport Operations Center, Lost and Found, Administration, Traffic, Bicycle Patrol, Crime Prevention, Special Investigations, K9, and Patrol.

TIAPD manages a Citizen Police Academy, which provides a K9 demonstration and the opportunity to participate with a K9 handler.

Attorney for the Airport Police in Tampa

If you are involved in an investigation by officers with the Tampa International Airport Police Department (TIAPD), contact an attorney at Sammis Law Firm.

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients accused of bringing a firearm or weapon to the airport, trespassing in a secure area, or DUI on airport property.

Attorney Leslie Sammis also represents clients after their U.S. Currency is seized for a civil asset forfeiture proceeding based on its connection to drug trafficking or money laundering or because of the failure to report the currency before or after an international flight.

Contact the law firm to set up a free and confidential consultation.

Call 813-250-0500.

Requesting Video From the Tampa International Airport

If law enforcement officers detained you with TIAPD, or federal agents with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), your attorney can preserve the video of the detention or seek a court order to compel its disclosure.

A request for a copy of any surveillance video from the airport is sent to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, which fulfills record requests under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes (Public Records Law).

Depending on the request, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority might assess a labor charge and copy charge under Section 119.07(4) of the Public Records Law.

In some cases, the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority might ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement that requires you to comply with, all requirements relating to their security plans, security systems, and/or surveillance techniques under Sections 119.071(2)(d), 119.071(3)(a), 281.301 and/or 331.22, Florida Statutes, and 49 CFR Part 1520.

Additional Resources

TIAPD’s website – From the TIAPD’s website, you can complete a Theft Report Form online, submit an anonymous tip, or request a police report. Copies of police reports from the Tampa International Airport Police Department can be obtained by requesting the Records and Information Center at Tampa International Airport, P.O. Box 22287, Tampa, FL 33622, or by calling (813) 870-8721.

This article was last updated on Friday, February 9, 2024.